Hospital Stay for Bypass Surgery: What should I bring with me?

@debking1021 Welcome to connect We care here and try to help with what we can We aren't Dr but I did have a by pass Most of the time your in a hospital gown , and in and out as soon as you think you can manage on your own I was out in 5 days Toletry that's about all I took .Good luck

Hi @debking1021 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I augmented the title of your discussion to best reflect your question. I'd like to also bring @thankful @danab @karukgirl @mrsjaxx727 and @harriethodgson1 into the discussion to get their tips. I'm quite sure Dana will advice you to bring a long cord for recharging your phone.

Deb, do you know how long your stay will be?

I would also like to add the question - What should one leave at home?

You don't need to bring much because you will be resting after surgery, leaning how to get out of bed, and walking with assistance. I brought a toothbrush, toothpaste, some makeup, a comb, a cell phone, and clothes to wear home. You may wish to bring an ebook reader.

@debking1021- For me there was no time for preparation in that my HA came on suddenly.
My wife did have a change early on while I was in the ER to go home and grab some toiletry items, but as @lioness said, not much more do you need.
I would agree with Colleen that having your phone charge cord would be very helpful.
My wife also had a chance to send a group text to our home group bible study asking for prayer.
Because only a stent was necessary, I was out in 1 1/2 days.
All my best to you! Trust your doctors! They do these operations frequently and I'm sure you will be in good hands! Jim@thankful

I meant to say learning how to get out of bed.

@debking1021 Hi and welcome. Yes as @colleenyoung mentioned that was the one thing that drove me crazy is the charge cord keep falling onto the floor. So i invested in a pretty long one, But also the extension type with the larger usb male and female ends to use to extend the one you have works also. The outlets are usually a long way from the bed and i would tie it off on the side rail. But the other things i always brought was my Bible plenty of time to read (the tv gets boring after a while) and one other thing i suggest is some note paper for questions when the team comes around I always seemed to forget the questions I had. There was also a great suggestion i heard after the fact a journel to record events. I actually downloaded on to my phone and could keep a diary using voice which is a great help. There is so much i wish i could have remembered later. I know yours is just probably a short stay so my list was based more on being in the hospital for long periods but some may be of help.
Have a Blessed Day
Dana

@debking 1021

All great suggestions from previous contributors so I will not repeat them. I will add something that is totally up to you. Bring the right attitude. It will make all the difference in your recovery. So how do you do that. First there is no room for fear. Absolute experts believe that this is the right course for you. While there is risk, you are being treated by the best health care workers in the world. Count your self as lucky to have this opportunity in your future and not unfortunate to have your condition in your past. Second is ownership. You will have a lot of people around you who truly care about you among them the best professionals in the world. Still there is only one person responsible for your recovery: YOU! You own your own recovery. All the doctors and nurses, technology, resources, medications and so on are resources for you to use in your recovery. I could go on but then I will fall into to my preacher mode and I am am sure you do not need to hear that. Good luck and remember: Everyday is a good day (some days are just better than others).
Best always.
s!
Scott Jensen

Good point Scott! Thanks for sharing it. I followed after-care instructions to the letter and recovered quickly.

@danab- What a great idea about longer charging cord and keeping a diary! Having those questions pop into our head at all different times and being able to add them to our phone via voice is a wonderful idea for a hospital stay or for any other reason!
Jim @thankful

@debking1021 First of all best of luck to you. Now to the question... I have had 3 HA in the last year'ish with a cath each time so after the first I packed a backpack since i know i will be there for a few days. I keep a pair of my slippers in there since i don't care for hospital socks and when allowed to get out of bed it can't be barefoot. a 10ft charging cord for my cell phone, a binder with copies of things from previous visits (you would be surprised how many times they look through and ask me questions about things and being able to pull out the binder and show them actual results surprises them). A change of clothes to leave in plus an extra pair of shorts to put on once i'm allowed to so when it comes time to walk the halls a little i don't have to worry about being tied in the back. I'm a coffee drinker so i bring my creamer and sugar, something to read and i tend to pack my laptop which has my netflix and all that and a handful of other movies and shows on it so as i lay there i have something other then judge judy to watch. Some pens and blank paper to doodle or take notes when the dr and nurses come in talking so i can keep track. a couple of snacks i enjoy for when i'm allowed to return to regular food. Some odds and ends and like everyone else has said, your own personal care items. Hopefully it's some help in making choices and again, best of luck.